After all the give and take about the Hexar RF, I went today to Cameraland in Manhattan to check out their factory refurbished models. The price was attractive: $700. The salesman couldn't have been nicer. He let me attach a Leica 50mm lens to the Hexar body for evaluation. The camera itself was mint and indistinguishable from new. We took the camera outside and did a few infinity test. The Hexar had no problem focusing at infinity, which relieved me. Then we went back inside for a few close focus tests. Using a yardstick, we measured items at 3 and 7 feet. This is where the Hexar proved disappointing. The 7 foot focus was acceptable if ever so slightly off, and the 3 foot focusing was off considerably. As I'd be using my Leica lens exclusively, I decided the slight focus incompatability wasn't worth the bargain price. It's possible than an expert could correct the rangefinder alignment to comply with the Leica lenses, but having invested a small fortune in the Leica, I'd rather not risk disappointing photos in critical situations. I think I'll spend the extra money and get a M6.

-- Hector V. (hector2268@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002

Answers

Smart move. Now you'll be able to even load film in your camera with the confidence that it took... unlike the Hexar.

-- Marc Williams (mwilliams111313MI@comcast.net), May 11, 2002.

Was this an on-film test? Or were you reading from the lens distance scale?

-- Dante Stella (dante@dantestella.com), May 11, 2002.

The distance scale on most lenses is calibrated for subject to film distance and not subject to lens. Besides, the scale is not really accurate at 3 feet. The only way to verify the accuracy of the rangefinder is to check the focus at the film plane. Or better still, shoot some film.

-- Rod Kendall (rod_kendall@yahoo.com), June 07, 2002.